Public Record Office: Closed Files

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why files that remain closed are listed in the computerised catalogue of the Public Records Office; whether this is consistent with their policy on open government; and, if not, whether they have plans to review the Public Record Act 1958.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: In accordance with the Open Government Code, it is the Public Record Office's policy to provide a comprehensive catalogue of records accessioned by the PRO, including those which are not yet available for public inspection. Of the 9,458,022 records listed on the Public Record Office computerised catalogue (PROCAT), some 344,274 (3.6 per cent) fall into this category. Over two-thirds of these (243,087) are records that are subject to the 30-year rule, in accordance with the Public Records Act 1967, and are not due to be opened until 2003 or later. The remainder (101,187) are subject to extended closure beyond the standard 30-year period, a procedure that requires the authorisation of the Lord Chancellor through a statutory instrument.
	The Lord Chancellor has asked the Keeper of Public Records to start work with other government departments on the need for a review of the Public Records Acts, and other legislative provisions for records and archives. This review will not affect the closure period applying to public records which, from January 2005, will be governed by the Freedom of Information Act rather than the Public Records Acts.

Public Record Office: Closed Files

Baroness Masham of Ilton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many files in the Public Record Office remain closed beyond the 30-year rule; and whether they will place in the Library of the House a list of closed files together with the reason for closure and the date on which they may be inspected by the public.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: Of the 9,458,022 accessioned records held at the Public Record Office, some 101,187 (1 per cent) remain closed beyond the standard 30-year closure period.
	To close a record for more than 30 years requires the consent of the Lord Chancellor and is authorised by a statutory instrument. The statutory instrument usually contains a brief description of the record and its closure status. A set of these instruments is publicly available in the reading rooms at Kew.
	Details of all the PRO's records, including descriptions, access conditions and closure dates, are held electronically on the PRO catalogue (PROCAT). This can be accessed directly by members of the public at the following address: http://www.pro.gov.uk/catalogues/default.htm

Electoral Registration: Absent Votes

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether written applications for absent votes, which are held on file by electoral registration authorities, are open to inspection by members of the public.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Lists of successful applicants for absent votes are available for inspection in electoral registration offices during ordinary office hours.

Shooting of Londonderry Bus Driver

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who the Police Service of Northern Ireland considers carried out the recent shooting of a bus driver in Londonderry; and, if any paramilitary groups were involved, whether they consider that those paramilitary groups are still on ceasefire.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Assistant Chief Constable North Region stated on 2 October that initial investigations suggested that members of the Provisional IRA were involved in the recent shooting of the Londonderry bus driver. As the Prime Minister stated this week, we have now reached the turning point. The agreement cannot work unless republicans demonstrate their commitment to exclusively peaceful means.

Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, in acting as recorded in the minute 3.2.3 of 8 April, is in breach of Article 9 of the Bill of Rights 1688.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: AC 638G:
	"In my judgement the plain meaning of Article 9, viewed against the historical background in which it was enacted, was to ensure that Members of Parliament were not subjected to any penalty, civil or criminal for what they said and were able, contrary to the previous assertion of the Stuart monarchy, to discuss what they, as opposed to the monarch, chose to have discussed."
	In light of this, the Human Rights Commission, as recorded in the minute 3.2.3 of 8 April, was not in breach of Article 9 of the Bill of Rights 1688.

Coleraine to Londonderry NIR Line

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the reason for the present closure of the NIR line from Coleraine to Londonderry; when the line will be open again; what steps are being taken to ensure that the reopening is permanent; and what measures will be taken to encourage passengers back.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Translink has advised that the Coleraine to Londonderry line was closed to permit essential engineering works to take place to the cliff-face at Downhill, scene of the recent derailment, that normal scheduled services recommenced on Monday 21 October and that it has no plans for further closures of the line. Translink has pointed out however that all cliff-faces require regular inspections that from time to time generate essential engineering maintenance works, which may require line closures. Translink has been operating promotional fares on the Londonderry line to stimulate passenger demand and has also publicised the re-opening through the media.

Belfast to Dublin Enterprise Service

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In view of the investment in excess of £100 million aided by the European Union on the railway line between Belfast and Dublin, why punctuality on the service is, according to Translink figures, only 71 per cent.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Translink has advised that the punctuality of the Enterprise Service has been adversely affected by temporary speed restrictions imposed to facilitate essential engineering work on the Belfast to Dublin line, by difficulties in scheduling the very large volume of rail traffic into Connolly station in Dublin and by some train mechanical problems. Translink has further advised that it is working with Iarnrod Eireann to redress the situation and action plas are being developed by its mechanical engineering teams to improve the reliability and punctuality of trains on the route.

Bleach Green to Whitehead NIR Line

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When work will start on the relaying of the railway line from Bleach Green to Whitehead; and how long it will take.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: Translink has advised that, due to a shortage of resources, it has not yet been able to schedule a start date for the relay of the railway line from Bleach Green to Whitehead. Translink has estimated that if funding became available to carry out the work in a single contract, the project could be completed in six months or so.

Belfast: Proposed Rapid Transit Network

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government;
	What is the current position on the proposal for a rapid transit system from North Down to Belfast

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Regional Transportation Strategy for Northern Ireland 2002-12 identifies a range of strategic transportation investment priorities including the commencement of a rapid transit network for Belfast. The strategy also considers potential funding sources and affordability of initiatives. Commitments to proceed with any major capital schemes will be subject to the normal budgetary process, economic appraisal and the conclusion of any statutory procedures. At present, no budgetary provision has been made for such a project.
	The development of a rapid transit network is being further considered in the context of the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, which is currently being prepared. The network could, for example, include services from North Down to the city centre, partly along the Comber rail line bed. This is an innovative concept and a dedicated project team will be established to undertake further work on it, subject to the availability of resources.

Houses of Parliament: Sitting Hours

Lord Lipsey: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	Further to his Written Answer of 23 October (WA106), what are the correct figures for the number of hours sat by (a) the House of Lords; and (b) the Houses of Commons in the 2001–02 Session.

Lord Tordoff: In the 2001–02 Session, up to and including 24 October 2002, the House of Lords has sat for 1,333 hours and 41 minutes, and the House of Commons has sat for 1,459 hours and 17 minutes. These figures exclude sittings for formal business, such as swearing in, and Sittings of the House of Lords for judicial business. Sittings in Grand Committee or Westminster Hall are alo excluded. I regret that the figure for Commons sitting hours which was given in my earlier answer, based on information supplied by the Commons, was incorrect.

Criminal Records Checks

Baroness Blatch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who drew up the specification for the contract with Capita to process applications for criminal records checks.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The specification for the contract with Capita to process applications for criminal record checks was developed by a team comprising Criminal Records Bureau project managers and external project and legal advisers. These included the Central Computing and Telecommunications Agency, and the legal advisers, Bird and Bird and Kermon, who are now part of Xansa. In addition, the Criminal Records Bureau consulted the Home Office Procurement Unit and Home Office legal advisers.
	In December 1999 it was announced that Capita, PricewaterhouseCoopers and eCRES were the shortlisted bidders, and the contract specification was developed over a number of months with the shortlisted bidders before the preferred bidder was chosen.

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In respect of debt relief under the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative, what are the minimum and maximum times taken to move from the decision point to the competition point; and what is being done to reduce the time required to reach both points more rapidly.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The HIPC initiative was launched in 1996 and substantially enhanced at the G7 Cologne summit in 1999. Under the enhanced initiative six countries—Bolivia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Mauritania—have moved from decision point to completion point with a minimum time of three months and a maximum time of two years four months. The UK Government have always pressed for the enhanced HIPC initiative to be implemented quickly, but conflict and corruption also impede progress.
	To reach decision point a country must prepare an interim poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP). To reach completion point they then need to develop a full PRSP and make progress in implementing it for at least one year.
	In September 2000 the International Monetary Fund (MF) and the World Bank made changes to enable quicker progress: greater flexibility on the length of the track record for performance; and paring down conditionality to those essential for poverty reduction. In particular these changes stressed that interim-PRSPs need only be a plan of action to develop a full PRSP. The UK Government continue to promote these reforms.
	These plans, including policy reforms, are drawn up by the country, with the participation of civil society, to show how debt relief and other resources will be targeted on reducing poverty and increasing growth. The country must also be on track with its IMF programme for which there will be a range of conditions, for example on macroeconomic stability or public sector management.
	Hence the timing of the completion point is primarily linked to progress in implementing the PRSP. For those countries that had already reached completion point under the original HIPC initiative the time taken to move from decision point to completion point can be quick, eg three months in the case of Uganda.
	The UK Government strongly support the PRSP framework introduced by the IMF and the World Bank in 1999. A priority for the HIPC initiative is to ensure that the gains from debt relief are used effectively to reduce poverty, and the time taken to reach completion point reflects that commitment. However, it is important to note that a country receives full interim debt relief on any payments due from decision point, and debt is irrevocably cancelled at completion point.

Money Laundering Regulations

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the measures required under the current legislation to counteract money laundering which they have issued to clearing banks and money changing outlets.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Money Laundering Regulations 1993 and 2001 have been placed in the Library of the House.

Last Night of the Proms: Northern Ireland Broadcast

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who authorised the decision to omit the playing of the National Anthem during the BBC Northern Ireland broadcast of the "Last Night of the Proms".

Baroness Blackstone: Decisions about programme content and scheduling are matters for the BBC. However I understand that the National Anthem was not omitted from the broadcast of the "Last Night of the Proms" in Northern Ireland.

Morocco: FMD Vaccine

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Union has given grants to the Government of Morocco to vaccinate sheep against foot and mouth.

Lord Whitty: In 1999 there was an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in northern Morocco. All member states supported the European Commission's proposal to loan Morocco 1 million doses of foot and mouth disease vaccine from the EU vaccine bank. This assisted Morocco's mass vaccination campaign and helped protect the Community against the incursion of the disease. The EU vaccine bank was replenished by Morocco after the campaign.

Degradable Plastic Products

Lord Rea: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What measures they are taking to encourage the use of degradable plastic products, particularly in packaging materials.

Lord Whitty: The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended) place obligations on certain businesses to recover and recycle specific tonnages of packaging waste. The placing of recycling targets on businesses provides an incentive to make recycling as cost-effective as possible, and one way of doing this is for business to use materials that are easily recyclable wherever possible.
	A substitute for plastic made from potato starch has now been developed which is used for some types of packaging by some retailers. This material is entirely bidegradable. Other biodegradable materials are manufactured using technologies based on modified plastics made from mineral oil. It is not clear therefore that the use of biodegradable materials in packaging applications is necessarily a sustainable solution to the general problem of managing plastics waste.

Biodiversity

Baroness Nicol: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they are taking to conserve and enhance biodiversity in England.

Lord Whitty: Today we are publishing a biodiversity strategy for England. The document, Working with the grain of nature, is being placed in the House Libraries.
	The undertaking to prepare a biodiversity strategy for England was made in the rural White Paper, Our Countryside, the future: a fair deal for rural England. The strategy is intended to build on the progress that the Government have already made in protecting and enhancing biodiversity in England, for example with greater protection for sites of special scientific interest under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and the implementation of 436 biodiversity action plans for priority habitats and species. We recognise that we can only secure the long-term health of biodiversity that is needed to bring a truly sustainable future by also achieving fundamental changes to public policy and the behaviour of people across the board.
	The strategy sets this process in train by seeking to embed biodiversity considerations into all the main sectors of economic activity, public and private. The strategy sets out a vision and programme for the next five years for five important policy sectors.
	In agriculture, we aim to encourage the management of farming and agricultural land so as to conserve and enhance biodiversity as part of the Governmment's sustainable food and farming strategy. In water, we aim for a whole catchment approach to the wise, sustainable use of water and wetlands. In woodland and forestry, we are looking for the management and extension of woodland so as to promote enhanced biodiversity and quality of life. In marine and coastal management, we aim to achieve the sustainable use and management of our coasts and seas using natural processes and the ecosystem-based approach. In urban areas, we want biodiversity to become a part of the development of policy on sustainable communities, urban green space and the built environment.
	The strategy also identifies a number of cross-cutting themes, with the aim of involving society as a whole in the achievement of biodiversity improvements. For example, we aim to encourage business to act for biodiversity in the boardroom, through the supply chain, in their management systems, in their annual reports and accounts and on the ground. We will also help make biodiversity part of people's everyday lives through information, communication and education and establish a mechanism to involve children and young people in the development of biodiversity policy. In addition, we will continue to encourage partnerships for biodiversity at local and regional levels in England.
	It will be essential to ensure that we measure biodiversity trends and the effects of our policies. Much work is already under way to improve the information that is available to understand the status of habitats and species, and the strategy announces the development of a new web-based biodiversity action reporting system to be launched in 2003 and the adoption of a set of biodiversity indicators to measure our progress. These indicators will be published in full within a year.
	This government strategy has been prepared, uniquely, with the active contributions of a large number of partners and stakeholders. We shall continue to rely on the widest possible partnership as we move forward to implementation. The partnership will be represented through the England Biodiversity Group, which will review the strategy annually and publish a report on progress in 2006.

Immigration Rules: Allegations of Sudanese Breach

Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether reports in the German press and in the Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom, that a senior Sudanese diplomat violated United Kingdom and international law by bringing a young Sudanese woman to the United Kingdom against her will with a false visa application, are true; and, if so, whether they have made any representations to the Sudanese Embassy to ensure that there will be no other similar violations of immigration procedures; and
	Whether there has been any investigation into the allegations published in the German press and in the Guardian newspaper in the United Kingdom that a senior Sudanese diplomat violated United Kingdom and international law by bringing a young Sudanese woman to the United Kindom against her will and by keeping her here as a domestic slave.

Baroness Amos: We are aware of these reports and have looked into all the circumstances surrounding this case. We are satisfied that the Immigration Rules were followed. However, as the noble Baroness is aware, it is not our practice to disclose the details of individual entry clearance cases in a public forum. I will write to the noble Baroness about this case in the new few days.

Bermuda: Proposed Constitutional Change

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect proposals for constitutional change to be presented to them by Bermuda; and when they expect a decision to be made.

Baroness Amos: No deadline has been set for proposals to be presented to Her Majesty's Government. The current amendment to the constitution is that put foward by the Bermuda Constituency Boundaries Commission which recommends 36 single-member constituencies for elections to the Bermuda House of Assembly. It was debated and approved by that House on 11 October. The Government will take this recommendation into account in considering next steps.

Sudan

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action they intend to take to ensure that the agreement to cease hostilities between the Sudanese Government and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army makes the start of a viable, comprehensive ceasefire which can be integrated into the peace process.

Baroness Amos: We worked with our international partners to support the mediators' efforts to broker the agreement to cease hostilities. We publicly welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding at the time; and continue to urge the parties and other international actors to do nothing which might undermine the cessation of hostilities. We ran a ceasefire modalities workshop in Kent in January 2002 to expose the military on both sides to the raft of issues which would have to be addressed in discussions of an eventual ceasefire. We remain ready to support the discussions on a ceasefire at the peace talks at Machakos.

Sudan

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What work is being undertaken by the United Kingdom Special Representative for Sudan, Mr Alan Goulty, in view of the current situation in Sudan.

Baroness Amos: Alan Goulty leads the UK contribution to the Sudan peace process. In fulfilling his mandate, he leads the UK observer delegation at the peace talks in Machakos and co-ordinates with the mediators and other observers at Machakos the means by which we can complement each other's efforts to deliver the best results. Mr Goulty carries out intensive consultations with both the Government of Sudan (GoS) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in Khartoum and elsewhere. He also ensures that UK policy and the peace process are fully understood by other interested governments and co-ordinates with international partners including the EU, our collective approach to implementing an eventual peace agreement.

Sudan

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there is any evidence of the continued presence of Al'Qaeda and Egypt's Al-Islamiya in Sudan.

Baroness Amos: The Government of Sudan have increased their co-operation on countering international terrorism. However, we believe that, despite their efforts, elements of both Al'Qaeda and al Gama'a al Islamiya continue to use Sudan as a safe haven, primarily for logistical purposes.

Ugandan People's Defence Force: Role in Ituri Province, DRC

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their latest estimate of the role played by the Ugandan People's Defence Force in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo; and what representations they have made to the Government of Uganda.

Baroness Amos: The United Nations Secretary-General has asked the Ugandan People's Defence Force (UPDF) to stay in Ituri province to provide law and order, until an alternative Congolese force can perform this role. The UK has reminded the Ugandan Government of the UPDF obligations to the local population.

Indonesia: FCO Travel Advice

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make an announcement on the travel advice for Indonesia.

Baroness Amos: On the night of Saturday 12 October, as soon as we heard of the atrocity in Bali, we recommended against all travel to Bali and all but essential travel to elsewhere in Indonesia.
	In the light of further information, the Foreign Secretary agreed on 17 October that we should advise against all travel to Indonesia and recommend that all British citizens should consider leaving Indonesia if their presence is not essential. He also authorised the withdrawal of some dependants and non-essential staff from the British Embassy in Jakarta.
	British citizens who remain should exercise extreme caution especially in public places, including clubs, restaurants, bars, schools, places of worship, outdoor recreational venues and other locations frequented by foreigners.
	On 18 October we updated our travel advice to warn British nationals of the increased terrorist threat in south-east Asia, where British nationals are also advised to exercise extreme caution in public places.
	I visited Bali from 17 to 21 October where I met British nationals, their families and friends caught up in this terrible incident. I also spoke to senior members of the Indonesian Government in Jakarta both to discuss the operation in Bali and how to strengthen our co-operation against international terrorism.
	We have a 24-hour operation on the ground in Bali, made up of consular officers, police officers trained in family liaison, and volunteers.

Exports to Iraq: Goods on Military List

Baroness David: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What goods on the Military List have recently been approved for export to Iraq.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Following consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Trade and Industry recently approved two licences for export to Iraq of protective demining vests, which appear on the Military List, for use by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) demining team in Iraq.
	The UN Iraq Sanctions Committee approved this export to Iraq under the Oil for Food programme (OFF). Under OFF, Iraq is allowed to export unlimited quantities of oil to fund the purchase of humanitarian goods. The export is consistent with the consolidated EU and national arms export licensing criteria.

UN Sanctions against Somalia and Angola (UNITA)

Lord Grenfell: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent changes there have been to United Nations sanctions against (a) Somalia and (b) Angola (UNITA).

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: (a) With the support of Her Majesty's Government the United Nations Security Council on 22 July 2002 adopted Resolution 1425(2002) consolidating and strengthening the arms embargo against Somalia. In addition to arms, the embargo now also applies to the direct or indirect supply to Somalia of technical advice, financial and other assistance, and training related to military activities. The resolution reflects the ongoing threat to peace security caused by the conflict in Somalia.
	(b) On 15 August the United Nations Security Council, with Her Majesty's Government's support, adopted Resolution 1432(2002). The resolution suspends for a further 90 days the travel ban on designated members of UNITA established pursuant to Resolution 1127 (1997). The suspension of the travel ban will allow UNITA officials to participate fully in the peace process.

Zimbabwe: EU Sanctions

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recent changes there have been to European Union sanctions against Zimbabwe.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: With the support of Her Majesty's Government, the Council of the European Union adopted Common Position 2002/600/CFSP on 22 July 2002 extending the list of individuals subject to an EU travel ban and asset freeze from 20 to 72. The extension highlights the collective responsibility borne by the ruling Zanu-PF elite for the continued deterioration in the situation in Zimbabwe. The Council subsequently adopted Decision 2002/754/CFSP on 13 September and extended to 79 the list of individuals subject to the measures to take account of changes to the Zimbabwean Government announced on 26 August 2002.

1st (UK) Armoured Division: War Establishment

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total number of personnel and vehicles on the war establishment of the 1 (UK) Armoured Division.

Lord Bach: The war establishment of 1 (UK) Armoured Division is 25,839 soldiers, all ranks, 2,891 armoured tracked vehicles, 4,740 wheeled vehicles and 492 pieces of plant, excluding generators. Actual numbers of vehicles and soldiers deploying on any particular operation would depend on mission analysis.
	The figure does not include additional combat support (artillery and engineers) nor third line logistic support which is not part of the normal divisional structure but might be assigned to the division in war, depending on the scenario.

Abortions: Mifepristone

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What practical arrangements have been made to deal with the disposal of foetal remains where abortion is caused by the use of the abortion drug mifepristone and occurs at a place other than a registered medical establishment.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Abortions using mifepristone accounted for 12 per cent of abortions performed on residents of England and Wales in 2001. For the large majority of these, expulsion of the foetus will have occurred in a National Health Service hospital or approved independent sector place.
	In a small number of NHS hospitals and independent sector clinics, women are offered the choice of being in the privacy of their own home for the expulsion if they are well enough, have not got far to travel and are accompanied. This is only after having the necessary drugs administered at the hospital or clinic and only for gestations of nine weeks and under. If a woman decides that this is her preferred option, she receives full advice on what to expect and a 24-hour telephone number to call for further advice if needed. Women may choose whether they wish to arrange for the disposal of the foetal remains themselves or return the remains to the hospital for incineration or cremation.
	A wide-ranging review of the law concerning human tissue is under-way and this will help us decide on any new legislation or guidance that may be needed. The Department of Health issued a consultation document on the law on the retention and use of human organs and tissue Human Bodies, Human Choices on 10 July. This consultation document also sought views on the arrangements for disposal of foetuses and foetal tissue. The consultation ended on 14 October.

Microwaving Food in Plastic Containers

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What research has been carried out on microwaving food in plastic containers to ascertain whether there is any leakage from the plastic of dioxins, carcinogens or xenoestrogens.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government's research programme into the migration of substances from food contact materials and articles in the specific area of plastic containers used in microwave ovens has included work to establish methodologies for determining such migration; and to establish actual migration of some specific substances within the groups of substances in question. There is also other published, peer-reviewed work in this area. I have placed details of this research in the Library.

EC Nutrition Labelling Directive

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a report on the operation of the European Community Nutrition Labelling Directive (90/496/EEC) has yet been submitted to the European Parliament, as required in Article 11; and whether action has been taken under Article 6(2) to develop graphical representation.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: No, the Commission has not yet submitted a report on the application of the directive to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, however it has indicated that it plans to propose revisions to the directive during 2003. The Food Standards Agency is pressing the Commission to introduce compulsory nutrition labelling for all foods and a clearer format for nutrition information.
	No action has been taken to develop a format for graphical presentation of nutrition labelling information.

NHS: Proposed Foundation Trusts

Baroness Noakes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish their proposals for the creation of foundation hospitals in the National Health Service, including the way in which borrowing by foundation hospitals will be overseen or controlled.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We will shortly publish detailed proposals for the creation of National Health Service foundation trusts including the financial regime which will apply to them.

EU Healthcare Professionals

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How information about an individual healthcare professional's fitness to practise will be exchanged between states of the European Union; and how such information would be immediately available across member states when individuals will be able to practise for 16 weeks per year under European Union Directive COM (2002) 119 in each member state without being registered in that host state.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Member states are entitled to apply the same requirements as to conduct and ethics to health professionals who are nationals of other member states as to their own nationals. They are also required to exchange information about disciplinary and criminal convictions affecting migrant practitioners. No decisions have been taken on the directive. It is a draft measure about which there are specific concerns. It has been the subject of consultation and continuing negotiations.

EU Healthcare Professionals

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What mechanisms will be in place to audit medical training and competence at undergraduate and postgraduate levels across the European Union.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Each member state is responsible for the provision and audit of standards of education and training in its territory. The European Commission is responsible for ensuring that member states comply with the minimum requirements of education and training as set out in the Doctors Directive 93/16/EEC.

Welfare Food Scheme

Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made on the plans to reform the Welfare Food Scheme to help ensure children from poorer families have a healthier start in life.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have today published proposals to reform the Welfare Food Scheme under the title Healthy Start.
	The Welfare Food Scheme has done great service for the last 60 years in providing milk and vitamins, primarily to expectant and nursing mothers, babies and children under five years of age in low income families. In line with our commitment in The NHS Plan, we are seeking to bring the scheme up to date in line with the latest expert advice on nutrition. Our proposals for this £142 million scheme will broaden the nutritional base of the scheme and offer a wider choice to families. We propose to do this through the introduction of a fixed face value voucher that can be exchanged for fruit and vegetables, cereal-based foods, other foods suitable for weaning, as well as milk and infant formula. We are also proposing to line the scheme more closely with the National Health Service through ante-natal and post-natal clinics. The new scheme will provide a healthier start for children from poorer families and link with our wider efforts to tackle health inequalities, and improve nutrition and food access.
	We are already working with the devolved administrations and actively seeking the views of interested parties and stakeholders on these proposals, including the users of the scheme, health professionals, the food and dairy industry and small firms. This consultation will run until 13 December.
	Copies of the Healthy Start document are available in the Library and the Department of Health website at www.doh.gov.uk/healthystart.